The Grapevine MagazineDecember 2004 Issue No 196 |
Parish Council |
1. Re-advertise for a suitable tenant.
2. Look for other commercial uses for the shop.
3. Open up as a community managed shop.
4. Convert the building into affordable accommodation.
SOHA Housing has placed the letting of the shop with a local letting agent who will be advertising the shop on a national basis, initially as a village shop but also to take interest for alternative commercial uses. Other commercial uses could be alternative retail use or as offices. SOHA Housing intends to review the results of the advertising initiative before Christmas.
The opportunity to open the Village shop managed and run by the community rests with Lewknor. People are needed to help in the running of the business both on the shop counter and behind the scenes. Funds would have to be raised to finance stock and other initial running costs. It will not be an easy task and unless the shop has the support of Lewknor it will not happen.
However, some 12 community managed shops thrive in Oxfordshire, many in villages not dissimilar to Lewknor - so it can be done. The community managed shop proposal will be run at the same time as the shop is being advertised. If neither produce a result then option 4 will be pursued and Lewknor will lose the village shop facility. Time-scales are tight as SOHA Housing want to be in a position to make a decision by the end of the year.
So if you believe that we should have a viable village shop providing services and provisions for local needs then we have our last chance to do something about it. If you are able and willing to become; part of a management team to set up and run the shop; help raise funds; or volunteer to work in the shop then; please complete the slip below and; either cut it out and return it to 13 High Street; email your reply to rscnotley@aol.com or call me on 354237. I will then set up another meeting with those who are able to help and we will go about creating our own Village Shop. Reply by 3rd December latest.
ROBIN NOTLEY 13 High Street, Lewknor. Tel 01844 354237. Rscnotley@aol..
For a leaflet containing more details and a registration form, call Walters Limousines on 01869 327048.
Similar, but different, provisions (different because the classification of this ancient right of way is not uniform along its length) have also been imposed on the stretch of the Ridgeway running on towards Chinnor through Aston Rowant and Crowell.
The 30 minute film was produced and directed by local award winning film makers Phil Martin and tells the story of the re-introduction of red kites into the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The story is told first hand by local experts and includes footage of the red kites flying, feeding and breeding in the Chiltern Hills.
I would warmly recommend this film to all Grapevine readers with any interest in natural history and in particular the very special area in which we live. All those involved in the film are to be warmly congratulated both for the film itself and the successful re-introduction of the bird in the area.
The Chilterns Conservation Board is selling the film in DVD and VHS video formats to help raise awareness of red kites and the wildlife and landscape of the Chilterns.
To order a copy, send a cheque for £11 (incl. p&p) payable to 'Wycombe District Council' to Cathy Rose, Chilterns Conservation Board, 8 Summerleys Road, Princes Risborough, Bucks, HP27 9DT, stating clearly whether you require DVD or VHS video. For more information call 01844 271306.
There will be a fifteen-day gap between scheduled waste collections over the Christmas/New Year period - so please do not put your rubbish out on the kerbside in the interim. The last routine collection will be on Tuesday, 21 December; The next collection will not be until Wednesday, 5 January, normal collection being resumed from the collection on Tuesday, 11 January.
Local Christmas tree recycling facilities will operate in Thame cattle market between 8am and 12pm on Saturday 8 and 15 January, and on Tuesday, 11 January, between 8am and 11am in Chinnor (Mill Lane car park) and between 12pm and 3pm in Watlington (Industrial Estate). A leaflet providing further details (plus a transparent waste sack specifically intended for the kind of additional recyclable waste created by the Christmas season) should be delivered to every household during the fortnight commencing 6 December.
Caroline Notley is still selling really nice Christmas cards - photos of a stained glass window in St Margaret's Church - £5 for 10 cards, so please contact her if you're interested, on KB 354237.
February 2, Louise Allen from Oxford Botanic Garden will talk about 'The Pulling Power of Plants', and March 2 the subject is 'The Walled Garden at Wormsley' with Head Gardener Andrew Banbury and Christine. This will be followed up by a visit in the summer.
New members and guests are always welcome. Membership £10 p.a., guests £2.00 per visit.
For further details contact Jane Kilroy, Club Secretary, 01491 614717.
Our discussion focussed on the influence that the Christian mission has had in Africa and how a country so rich in natural resources has the poorest people in the world. The corruption of those in power contrasts with the simplicity of the villagers' life. Their few material possessions they are prepared to share with those in greater need.
Our next book is 'The Lady and the Unicorn' by Tracy Chevalier who is also the author of 'The Girl with the Pearl Earring'. If you are interested in joining the group, contact me on 350382. Elan Preston-Whyte
We would like to welcome Valentino Mayhew, Harvey Diab, Gemma Burnand and Libby Howe, all of whom started with us after half term.
This half term we are covering some great topics, which have included bonfire night, Divali, and now we begin our build up to Christmas with lots of festive activities! Our nativity play will be on Friday 10th December - do join us if you can. If your child does not attend this session but would like to join in, please contact Hayley to let her know.
Our funded term is due to finish on Friday 3rd December. However, we have decided to extend the pre-school for one additional week, until Friday 10th December. Unfortunately, as we have no funding for
This week, parents will have to pay for any session they take during that week. If you do NOT want your child to attend please let one of the staff know.
Finally, thank you to all parents who have been coming to help tidy up at the end of the session. To those of you who continually miss your dates please take time to read the parent rota on the board at the hall. If you cannot make the date given, please try and swap with someone else. We desperately need more help on the committee in all sorts of areas - we are all busy and we all have small children; there is no reason why the same small group of parents should continue to do all the work all the time. Please do your share.
For all enquiries regarding admission to the pre-school, please contact Ali Griffiths on 01844 352330.
Next issue in February
A HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR READERS.
Louise and Kay